Perhaps buoyed by the success of the 2013 Women’s World Cup, the ICC raised the total prize money for the 2017 edition by ten times, to USD 2 million. Of this, the champions were allocated USD 660,000, and the runners-up USD 330,000, and the losing semi-finalists USD 165,000 each.
India began well, with a 35-run win against hosts England. However, that remained England’s only defeat of the league stage. They won all other matches, including a thriller against Australia, by three runs, despite Ellyse Perry’s 70. Australia, too, won their matches bar that one defeat.
India won their first four matches before consecutive defeats against South Africa and Australia. South Africa won their matches by margins, while their clash against New Zealand was washed out. This reduced the India-New Zealand match, on the last day of the group stage, to a virtual quarter-final.
It turned out to be an anti-climax. Mithali Raj’s 109 first took India to 265/7. Rajeshwari Gayakwad (5-15, the best figures for India at the World Cup) then spun New Zealand out for 79, their lowest score in the history of the tournament. The 186-run margin remains a World Cup record for India.
Laura Wolvaardt (66) and Mignon du Preez (76*) took South Africa to 218/6 in the first semi-final. England stuttered in response, and were 173/6 in the 43rd over, before Fran Wilson and Jenny Gunn saw them home in the final over.
India piled 281/4 in 42 overs in the second semi-final, largely due to a one-in-a-lifetime 115-ball 171 not out by Harmanpreet Kaur, the highest World Cup score by an Indian. Australia fought back after being 21/3, and even 169/9, before Alex Blackwell (90 in 56 balls) was last out. India won by 36 runs to qualify for their second final.
In the final, England survived a late burst from Jhulan Goswami (3-23) to reach 228/7. At 191/3, India were in control, with Punam Raut (86) at the crease, but Anya Shrubsole (6-46) wreaked havoc, and India lost their last seven wickets for 28 runs.
Semi-final: South Africa 218/6 in 50 overs (Mignon du Preez 76*; Heather Knight 1-8) lost to England 221/8 in 49.4 overs (Sarah Taylor 54; Sune Luus 2-24) by 2 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Sarah Taylor.
Semi-final: India 281/4 in 40 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 171*; Elyse Villani 1-19) beat Australia 245 in 40.1 overs (Alex Blackwell 90; Deepti Sharma 3-59) by 36 runs. Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Kaur.
Final: England 228/7 in 50 overs (Nat Sciver 51; Jhulan Goswami 3-23) beat England 219 in 48.4 overs (Punam Raut 85; Anya Shrubsole 6-46) by 9 runs. Player of the Match: Anya Shrubsole.
England won the World Cup. Player of the Tournament: Tammy Beaumont.
Most runs: Tammy Beaumont (England, 410), Mithali Raj (India, 409), Ellyse Perry (Australia, 404)
Most wickets: Dane van Niekerk (South Africa, 15), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa, 13), Kristen Beams (Australia, 12), Anya Shrubsole (England, 12), Deepti Sharma (India, 12)
ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 XI: Tammy Beaumont (England), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Mithali Raj (India, c), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Sarah Taylor (England, wk), Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Deepti Sharma (India), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Anya Shrubsole (England), Alex Hartley (England), Nat Sciver (England, substitute)